“While we started from scratch and solicited constituent wide suggestions, the name Besant received wide support. It captures the spirit of our history and honors Annie. She held firm to her belief that this breathtaking land would be the cradle of the ‘new civilization of education.’ For over sixty years, stewarded by Aldous Huxley, Rosalind Rajagopal, J. Krishnamurti, Guido Ferrando, Dennis Rice, and others, we have intentionally moved towards reaching Annie’s dream. Now is our time to show the world that we are indeed the model for education in the 21st century. As such, it is appropriate that we honor her, not only for her original idea, but for the future in which she predicted.” Tarah Pollock class of 2007 had a similar reaction, “I think changing the name is a big step towards making the school available to a wider range of students. Giving it [the school] a new face will allow more people to experience all it’s offerings, without hesitation because of its name.” Another student from San Diego had a slightly different response, “Now I won’t hesitate when my family and friends ask where I attend school. Before I would immediately say, ‘Oh, its in Ojai.’ Now, I can say, Besant Hill School.” While the school plans on opening in the fall with a sustained record enrollment and many new offerings, it will also have the ability to boast its new name - Besant Hill School. Another board member commented, “To me the ‘hill’ offers a wonderful juxtaposition to ‘valley’ both visually and symbolically. Annie had her ‘vision’ of our future on the hill overlooking the vernal pond (on the land which is now the school’s campus). Annie never had the slightest doubt about the integrity of her vision and it carried her through all the ‘rational’ and ‘practical’ objections to her purchase of the land.” Amadio was quick to point out that Annie Besant chose the name Happy Valley because Krishnamurti’s topic for that upcoming summer was “the Kingdom of Happiness,” which was to be spoken about on Annie’s newly acquired land. But, as it turned out he [Krishnamurti] chose another platform from which to deliver his words; in a way this connection for the name “Happy Valley” never manifested itself. Word has gotten out to the school’s constituents and so far, they have responded in an enthusiastic way. Understandably, several alumni have emotional connections to the old name, but the majority understand that the move is necessary for the school to secure it’s future in the ever shrinking market of independent schools.Besant Hill School is a coeducational boarding and day college preparatory school for grades 9-12, with a focus on a college prep community that celebrates the individual through a vigorous academic program, and an emphasis on creative expression and right brained thinking activities. Since 1946 the school has been teaching students how to think, not what to think (tm). For more information please call Randy Bertin, Director of Admissions, 805.646.4343 x 422 or rbertin@hvs.org
Board of Trustees of Happy Valley Foundation changes name of Happy Valley School
July 04, 2007
Santa Paula News
The Board of Trustees of the Happy Valley Foundation in Ojai, California announced today that effective July 1, 2007 the school would change its name.
The Board of Trustees of the Happy Valley Foundation in Ojai, California announced today that effective July 1, 2007 the school would change its name. In a vote, The Board of Trustees selected the name, “Besant Hill School of Happy Valley,” although it will be referred to as just Besant Hill School in most circumstances. The name honors Annie Besant, the school’s original visionary, responsible for the 1927 purchase of the 500 acres in Upper Ojai. The School has been known as The Happy Valley School since its founding in 1946. “This decision came from years of recommendations made by different groups of faculty, administrators, alumni and other friends of the school,” said Chair of the Board of Trustees James Sloss.“Our practical concerns include the impact that the name has on school operations including community activities, fundraising and recruiting,” Sloss said. “Weighing these concerns, the Board of Trustees of the Foundation decided that a change of name would help insure the continued success of the school.” The foundation made this announcement to the Happy Valley community several weeks ago and encouraged alumni, students, parents, and faculty and staff to submit suggestions for the new name of the school. Approximately 70 name suggestions were submitted and reviewed by the foundation’s trustees which includes Head of School, Paul Amadio. “In the interest of smarter marketing, often based on cultural and societal shifts, many schools and universities have changed their names. Right or wrong, first impressions make a difference,” said Amadio, who spent the past few days breaking the news to the schools constituents. ‘’Certainly, when you go outside of the region, but even here in Ojai, the first impression often fails to convey what the school is all about. Our recruitment team has found that once we get people in dialogue about our mission and history and the kind of school we are, we have a high return on converting quality candidates into students. Everyone looking for a healthy 9 - 12 college prep school with a storied history needs to know us. Ironically, the word ‘happy’ was met with the impression of a school for troubled teens, or an elementary school. With the incredible evolution of our school today, and our deep respect for its past, we believe that we need to have a name to stand on that represents who we are, and pays respect to how we got here.” The new name certainly does represent much of what Mr. Amadio is speaking of.